Vietnam Morning News For June 20

In Vietnam, distrust of government’s China policy fuels protests
Protests by thousands of people in cities across Vietnam are showing just how easy it is to unite public opinion and mobilize dissent when an issue has one key ingredient: China.
— ABS-CBN

Catholics injured as police suppress protests in Vietnam
Catholics have been caught up in a police crackdown aimed at suppressing opposition to a proposed special economic development plan and the approval of a controversial cybersecurity law.
— UCA News

VN petroleum market may be captured by big importers: experts
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerrce & Industry (VCCI) and experts have warned that minimum limits on petroleum imports to be allocated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) may kill small businesses, leaving space for the market to be captured by big importers.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Vietnamese importers fret over dollar rate
Steel and textile firms worry over raw material and production costs.
— VnExpress

Discontent lurks under the surface of economic success in Vietnam
Vietnam boasts one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, optimistic citizens and a stable government. But below the surface of positive data points lies discontent that spilled over during recent protests across the country.
— The Asean Post

Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee holds first meeting
The Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee convened its first meeting in Hanoi on June 19 to discuss working regulations and tasks.
— VietnamPlus

Facebook, Google okay with Vietnam’s cybersecurity law
Representatives of tech giants raised no objections and said they would modify their strategies according to the new law, claims senior official.
— Retail News

Vietnamese banks struggle to find strategic investors
Many Vietnamese banks subject to mergers and acquisition (M&A) are still in search of suitable strategic investors despite strong foreign appetite for local banking shares.
— The Hanoi Times

Vinacomin’s 2017 pre-tax profit triples to US$131 million
Vietnam National Coal and Minerals Group (Vinacomin), Vietnam`s largest coal producer, said its pre-tax profit reached VND3 trillion (US$131 million) in 2017, nearly tripling the number in 2016, according to the group`s consolidated financial statement.
— The Hanoi Times

Do Chinese tourists need a ‘code of conduct’ while travelling abroad? Vietnam thinks so
Anti-China sentiment is on the rise in Vietnam, with some calling for restrictions or guidelines aimed specifically at visitors from the Middle Kingdom.
— South China Morning Post

President Quang adresses cyber-security law
President Trần Đại Quang cleared up citizens’ concerns over the controversial draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units and the cybersecurity law in yesterday’s meeting with voters in HCM City’s Districts 1, 3 and 4.
— Viet Nam News

VSA gives hope to VN steel firms after duties
Despite the imposition of anti-dumping duties on colour-coated steel products by Indonesian authorities, Vietnamese steel producers should not worry about the possibility of losing competitiveness, according to the Viet Nam Steel Association (VSA).
— Bizhub

B.Grimm and Xuan Cau to develop Southeast Asia’s largest solar project
Thailand’s B.Grimm Power has signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam’s Xuan Cau to develop the largest solar PV project in Southeast Asia, standing at 420MW capacity in Tay Ninh, southwest Vietnam.
— PV Tech

Made-in-Vietnam tyres present in 128 markets
Made-in-Vietnam tyres have been rolling in 128 countries and territories worldwide, according to Vice President of the Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA) Vo Hoang An.
— VietnamPlus

DHL eCommerce brings same-day metro deliveries to Vietnam
DHL eCommerce, a division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, today announced the introduction of DHL Parcel Metro Same Day in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
— Retail News

Central EZs face lacklustre future
Experts have predicted a lacklustre future for a chain of economic zones (EZs) built more than a decade ago in the central region.
— Bizhub

US Citizen Held in Vietnam ‘Confesses’ on State Television
An American citizen detained in Vietnam on public order charges confessed Monday night on state television, apologizing for his role in public demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this month and promising to stay away from protests in the future, news sources said on Tuesday.
— Radio Free Asia

US-China trade war to help or hurt Vietnam’s economy?
As the country’s products are part of China’s value chain, Vietnam surely cannot avoid the cascading effect from the trade war between these two biggest economies in the world.
— Tuoi Tre

Vietnam tourism travels to Hong Kong
ITE & MICE Hong Kong is the biggest annual trading and tourism event in Hong Kong, providing an excellent chance to facilitate Hong Kong and Danang business exchange, thus promoting Danang, Vietnam, tourism and exploiting more tours from Hong Kong to Danang.
— eTurbo News

Vietnam, Israel hold fifth round of negotiations on FTA
Vietnam and Israel reached progress during the fifth round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations which was recently held in Jerusalem city.
— Nhan Dan Online

Japanese beauty brands secure foothold in Vietnam
Japanese personal care firms Takara Belmont, Menard, and Shiseido have found ways to get their parts in the Vietnamese cosmetics market, whose value is expected to hit 2.35 billion USD this year, according to the Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper.
— VietnamPlus

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